L48 (TLB48) questions

[Z-Michigan]

Wondering about the L48 model - hoping to hear from people who own or at least have driven them. My use is not construction but a general purpose tractor around my 20 acre horse farm. I know that the conventional tractors would seem like a better option, but bear with me. As I analyze my intended tasks, I want to do some fairly heavy-duty loader work - especially digging/dismantling rock piles and either moving them or dumping them in trucks, and some moving of round bales of hay - and I want to do some field work, but the field work is lighter duty, like brushhogging, using a chain drag, and maybe using a disc or 1-2 bottom plow. Hydrostatic drive is appealing for the loader work but I don't like the overall construction of the Grand L series; I have driven an L5030 HST a couple times and I don't like the pedal or the overall feel. I would like something more heavy duty also. I am otherwise looking at the M5040 and the JD 5105, both of which are utility tractors. I am not aware of any utility tractors that come with hydro drives - the only choice seems to be between a dry clutch and a wet clutch with hydro-shuttle (which is totally different from HST). Either one would work ok, but the HST is appealing if it's a good option.

When I asked a local dealer about the L48, with the backhoe deleted (I don't need it for my intended uses, and I think it costs around $10,000) he indicated that price would be around $28,000 and that he wouldn't recommend it because, in his words, it didn't have enough power to move at a decent speed or do much work other than transport the backhoe from place to place. Mind you, a dealer who only sells Kubota told me this, and he told me that he has sold one of them and that customer was unhappy with the low power. He also said that HST doesn't work well on a tractor this heavy, and he strongly thinks I would be better off with the M5040 (which is about $600 less with an FEL). I'm wondering if his comments are accurate. I won't be too surprised if the L48 is unsuitable for my overall purposes, but I wanted to at least look at the possibility.

So, my question is: is the L48, with the backhoe deleted but some other weight on the backend, going to be slow, underpowered and generally a bad idea for any field work? Are there other disadvantages that would make it unsuitable for mowing with a brushhog?

 

[Oleozz]

If your dealer is telling you the truth then there are a lot of slow, underpowered tractors running around. The 48 has a 46 hp, 4 cyl., 148 cu inch engine at 2600 rpm., has a pump capacity of 25.9 gpm, total weight of the tractor without the loader is around 6600 lbs. Don't own one but have a tractor with just about the same specs (except pump capacity) and it is not a dog. I do have a friend with an L39 and he loves it.

 

[witel]

I have a similar situation. I am interested in a tractor for my small equestrian operation ... instead of construction. I'll need the backhoe and the FEL to be more heavy-duty for shaping the land; however, I'll need lighter-duty field-work (mowing, chain-harrow). I originally started looking at the L48 (4-cylinder and HST), but backed-off to the L39 TLB (3-cylinder and GST). It's smaller and yet still has a lot of power. Contrary to what you've stated, I've been reading that the GST is really good for FEL work. Personally, I do not know how the HST compares. The L39 FEL (TL1000) has a lifting capacity of a ton + 10% ... which is always a good design, but I've heard that it may have some curl issues. Keep that in mind. The L39 backhoe (BT1000) is supposedly a monster, and rivals that of the L48. The PTO is 30.5 HP and will probably suffice for my ~12 acre flat field-work requirements. One thing I definitely want was the beefier hydraulics found on the L39 and L48 ... and not found on the L30 or L40 series. This will make the attachments (i.e. hydraulic PHD, backhoe bucket thumb, 4n1, snow-blower, et. al.) more effective. The L39 and L48 do not have factory cabs available, but there are some third-party cab-providers out there.

Again, this is all based only on what I've read here on TBN, the specs found at the Kubota website, brochures from the dealer, and driving an L39 once ... so take it how you may. I'm still trying to figure out what I really want in a tractor so I can make the right decision. Right now, it's the L39 leading the JD110, but I still have research to do on the JD110.

If you want to hear an enthusiatic TBNer's opinion about the L39, search for posts from SkyPup. He's one of the many L39 power-users.

I hope you get your answers on the L48. I'll be watching this thread.

 

[Z-Michigan]

Always interesting to find someone with similar uses. I'll take another look at the L39, but it looks lighter duty than the L48. Not sure how much money it saves. GST is similar to a manual transmission but allows shifting without pushing the clutch pedal. I assume it has a shuttle lever and probably a hydraulic clutch, which is pretty good for FEL work and comparable to what is very common on ag tractors above 60-70hp. However, the HST has a fluid system to transmit power that basically doesn't wear from accelerating and slowing, and you can change between forward and reverse just by pushing the other end of the pedal. Very convenient for FEL work, and allows really slow creeping - like to get under a big rock to move it, without bending any part of the FEL by going too fast. That's why I'm focused on HST if I can get it in what I want.

I think you'll find that the JD110 compares closest to the L39 in specs and L48 in price. That's not a knock on JD as I think they make excellent stuff, but it often is pricier for a given size and set of features. Not sure whether the JD110 is sold by their ag or construction dealers, or maybe both if you're lucky. I have a thread on the all-brands buying/comparison forum about my overall uses and what else I've looked at (JD5105 and Kubota M5040 are otherwise at the top of my list).

In terms of speed - the L48 has a top speed of 15.2mph per Kubota, which is comparable to the vast majority of tractors in that hp range. I can't foresee that I will be spending much if any time above 10mph on my property, or very often in the high gear. I expect that FEL work will be in low gear and mowing with a brushhog in mid gear (though I would love to mow at 15mph!). I just want to hear from people who've driven the L48 and make sure it isn't a dog. It is quite a lot heavier than Kubota's other tractors using that 2.4L engine.

 

[MessickFarmEqu]

Kubota L5740 with a bradco hoe would be my suggestion.

 

[LarryRB]

I have a 48 TLB, which is truely a commercial machine,. I hog mow our fields 8 or 9 times per year. Hoe on and off, is quite easy. #pt hookupis also easy. Machine mows fine, however, midrange could really use another one or two MPH. I doubt this can be done because of the mechanical and fluid characteristics of hydro. The 48 is also quite heavy.. For what you are doing, get a smaller utility tractor with add on hoe, you would be a lot happier., the machine lighter and quicker,and you still have an all around machine.,

 

[MarkV]

Don’t be too influenced by the top rated speeds listed for the L48. Like Kubota’s other commercial TLB’s, the HST high range, or 11 and 12 gear on the L39, are pretty much road gears and not very useful in a normal work environment. The L48 is certainly capable of field work yet a tractor engineered for ag work rather than commercial work may have a better gear spacing for field work.

There are a couple of other things to consider between the L48 and a utility tractor. The L48 does not allow you to remove the loader for field work if that is a concern. Also if your property is hilly at all the L48 will not allow you to adjust the rear wheels out for a wider stance where the utility or Grand L’s will.


MarkV

 

[Z-Michigan]

Appreciate all the comments. Sounds like an L48 COULD work but is perhaps not a great choice. Please note I'm not looking for a backhoe, either on an L48 or anything else - I was just looking at options for a midsize tractor with HST that seemed more heavy-duty than the Grand L series.

 

[daddywags]

I have an L-48 TLB that I use on 17 acres. I think that it is about perfect. It is used to plow, rototill, plug, roll lawn, plow snow and as a backhoe/ frontloader to move dirt and to ditch. I have a 12" and a 24" bucket and use them both. It has all the power that you would ever want, if used in the correct range. I do not try plowing in high range, but in low it will plow allday. Mine is a 2005 and it came as a tractor, loader, backhoe with a 24" bucket, rear worklights, full shop manual and a ball hitch. $33800.00 out the door delievered to my farm. I think it is perfect for use on a horse farm. if you have any specific questions just ask.

 

[shaley]

I like Kubota products, my next tractor will probably be a Kubota. The L48 is the only unit I have really gone over with a fine tooth comb. I have a NH 2120 (43hp) which is close in size to the L48. I looked a lot of L48's and I think there main market is commercial/construction. I has a great BH with really good reach and other features found only on bigger construction stuff. While it is built for the smaller contractor, it's claim to fame is it's right at the magic 7700lb weight. This allows it to transported on a 2000lb 10GVWR trailer and still be under the 10k limit for no CDL in most states. This saves the small operator a bundle on ins., taxes, lic fees ect. So it excells in the construction market. Let us know what you end up with and show use some pics too.